Do you dip your lights for pedestrians?

Voodoomelon · 30-03-2011 09:40PM #1

Last few months i've started running to the gym at night, was pointless driving 5 minutes when its only down the road.

I'd say over 75% of drivers don't dip their headlights when they're approaching me. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree with reflective gear and can easily be spotted 200 metres away and have my corneas burnt out of my head by inconsiderate gits who sail by with full lamps on.

On darker roads I have to stop moving altogether as I can't see the road infront of me or where i'm going when these people approach.

I've always dipped my lights for pedestrians, there's no need to use full lights even if they aren't that visible, as you've already spotted them a good bit off and know where they are.

When I was cycling i'd get the same thing, but to a lesser extent. Annoying as hell.

Lord Nikon · 30-03-2011 09:43PM

I use my dips, but give a quick high beam flash to see if anything or one is up ahead.

I remember one time I saw some people running with reflective gear on, then further ahead some guy was running with no reflective gear on, while running on the road, and a five foot wide path to use.

Some people...

johngalway · 30-03-2011 09:43PM

Only if they're coming towards me.

b318isp · 30-03-2011 09:44PM

Yes, I generally would dip for anyone facing me, I guess out of courtesy.

650Ginge · 30-03-2011 09:46PM

Agree a hundred percent.

Out walking the dog and you can't see a thing, have to stop on the footpath for the fear of walking off and out in the road.

Is this in the rules of the road, it is in the british highway code.

johndaman66 · 30-03-2011 09:59PM

I think judging by the driving standards on the road you'd nearly want to start at the start as it were and ask do you dip your headlights for oncoming vehicles....cos a sizeable number of people out there on the roads don't as far as I can see or very late if they do. Along with the misuse of roundabouts these are my two biggest pet hates on the road.

Wile E. Coyote · 30-03-2011 10:06PM

650Ginge wrote: »

Agree a hundred percent.

Out walking the dog and you can't see a thing, have to stop on the footpath for the fear of walking off and out in the road.

Is this in the rules of the road, it is in the british highway code.

Yeah it's in the rules of the road here. I always dip my headlights for pedestrians walking towards me. No excuse not too.

CiniO · 30-03-2011 11:01PM

I actually never really dip lights for pedestrians.

AFAIK it's not required by Road traffic Law.
And I think it's way more important for me to properly see pedestrian, than the oposite.

(2) (a) Head lamps shall be dipped in good time whenever, while the vehicle is being used in a public place and the head lamps are lit, failure to do so is likely to cause undue inconvenience to other traffic, and in particular—

(i) where the vehicle is about to pass an oncoming vehicle, or

(ii) where the vehicle is travelling close behind another vehicle (except while overtaking such vehicle).

Not a single word about dipping for pedestrians.

Bumpstop · 31-03-2011 12:33AM

Omg yes yes and yes, I also slow to a crawl, and do my best to get as far over as possible. If even slightest thing goes wrong, you could hurt someone, even just a stone flying off your wheel could maim someone.

Our country roads are badly pot holed, and there are a lot of lose stones around.
It won't be in any book or law, it's just consideration for other people.
LOL gym !

sdanseo · 31-03-2011 03:33AM

Better you get a biz dazzled than integrated into the tarmac by someone with crappy dips who's going too fast to see you without high beams, surely?

Welease · 31-03-2011 08:00AM

sdonn wrote: »

Better you get a biz dazzled than integrated into the tarmac by someone with crappy dips who's going too fast to see you without high beams, surely?

But if they were going to dip, then they have seen the pedestrian, and on a country road should be slowing down to pass safely..

Anything else is at best inconsiderate, and at worst a good example of the piss poor driving behavior in this country.

Cmar-Ireland · 31-03-2011 08:11AM

If they have their reflective gear on then yes I'll dip the lights. But if they're trying to impersonate a ninja (head to toe in dark clothing/no reflective gear) the the high beams stay on.

07Lapierre · 31-03-2011 08:13AM

As a cyclist ive been cycling a lot this winter and its the pits!!! Oncoming cars rarely dip their lights which is bad, but its ten times worse if its raining.

Do you dip your lights for pedestrians?

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